We asked Naomi Koh Belic, a PhD candidate from the University of Technology Sydney, for her perspective as a trainee attending the ISSCR Annual Meeting for the third year. Naomi shares some highlights and tips from ISSCR2019 in Los Angeles.

The ISSCR is pleased to announce Deepak Srivastava, MD, Gladstone Institutes, as the incoming president of the ISSCR and its board of directors. Srivastava assumed the post immediately following the 17th ISSCR Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, 26-29 June, 2019.

The ISSCR honored longtime member Lawrence Goldstein for his years of science policy advocacy, and announced a new program in his name that will train ISSCR members to become stem cell policy advocates. The tribute and introduction of the Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship program was part of the opening plenary session of the ISSCR annual meeting, 26-29 in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting, 26-29 June at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will bring together more than 3,500 scientists, bioethicists, clinicians, industry professionals, and others from over 50 countries to share the latest developments in stem cell science and regenerative medicine.

The ISSCR and other medical, scientific, educational, and healthcare groups sent a letter to members of the U.S. Congress supporting an amendment that would prevent the implementation of a new policy to restrict and delay federal funding for fetal tissue research.

The ISSCR commends the U.S. District Court ruling that confirms the FDA’s authority to regulate clinics marketing and selling unproven therapies as stem cell products. The clinic, U.S. Stem Cell, has injected cells derived from fat into the eyes of several patients, resulting in at least three being blinded.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), the largest professional organization of stem cell researchers from around the world, opposes the new U.S. Health and Human Services policy to eliminate federal funding for fetal tissue research in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intramural research program. This research has long been viewed as good public policy to improve human health and has proceeded with public support.

The ISSCR has submitted comments to China's National Medical Products Administration regarding China's draft regulations for the Management of Clinical Research and Transformation Applications for Somatic Cell Therapy.

The annual meeting can be overwhelming, with new scientific discoveries to learn about and colleagues to meet. We asked two trainee members, Kimberley Babos and Louise Menendez, for their thoughts about how they plan ahead to ensure they make the most out of their time at the meeting.

The ISSCR welcomes the new policy guidance from Health Canada that clarifies the regulation of autologous cell products in Canada. The new policy guidance aligns Canada’s regulations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2017 Regenerative Medicine Framework and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration’s 2018 Autologous human cell and tissue product regulations.

A wide variety of motivations propel us to pursue science careers at the bench or in industry. Often as young adults we’re driven by curiosity and the desire to understand why things work the way they do. One key motivator for many of us is the potential to have a real impact on the lives of patients and their families.

The Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and defeated an amendment that would have prohibited federal funding for fetal tissue research.

Stem cell research is leading to potential new therapies to treat disease, with several applications in clinical trials or expected to enter trials in the coming months. These new discoveries are transforming how we think of medicine and will be key to discussions at the International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting, 26-29 June at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

With the rapid growth of the stem cell field and advances in regenerative medicine, it is critically important that researchers earn and retain the public trust. To that end we must operate under agreed-upon guidelines that ensure ethical activities, transparency, and sound science.

In response to draft regulations in China on gene editing and other potentially risky biomedical technologies, the ISSCR has submitted comments to the the country's National Health Commission Medical and Medical Administration Bureau.

The ISSCR supports research using human-animal chimeras conducted under appropriate review and oversight (ISSCR Guidelines Recommendation 2.1.5) and applauds the new Japanese rules enabling research on chimeric embryos.

ISSCR has elected its next leadership slate, with leaders beginning their terms after the 2019 annual meeting. On behalf of all members, we extend congratulations to newly-elected officers Melissa Little, vice president; and Kenneth Zaret, treasurer, and re-appointed board members Marianne Bronner, Valentina Greco, and Arnold Kriegstein.

Each year our annual ISSCR meeting showcases for the world the potential of stem cell science and advances already underway that are changing the face of human healthcare. We highlight the latest innovative research and scientific developments that are propelling the field forward in a variety of ways. ISSCR 2019 in Los Angeles is a terrific opportunity to inspire us with research at the leading-edge of scientific discovery

Top scientists and researchers from academia, medicine, and industry will gather to share groundbreaking stem cell science and its translation to clinical application at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), 26-29 June in Los Angeles, Calif.

Scientists play a critical role in advocating for research that is advancing healthcare and biomedicine. In the February edition of Stem Cell Reports, several ISSCR researchers share their answers to the question 'Why is it important to you to support fetal tissue research?'

The ISSCR announces the recipients of its 2019 Award for Innovation, Dr. Susan Lim Award for Outstanding Young Investigator, Tobias Award Lecture, and Public Service Award. Awardees will be recognized at the ISSCR annual meeting, 26-29 June, in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.

If you’re an enterprising stem cell scientist with exciting work to publish this year, the ISSCR annual meeting in Los Angeles, 26-29 June, is the place to take the stage and showcase your science to colleagues and the field. We’ve developed a new program structure this year that dedicates 15 plenary speaking spots to abstract-selected speakers, to showcase the talents of the next generation of scientists.

Keith Alm joined the ISSCR as chief operating officer in January 2019, after serving as a brand strategist and consultant for the society for nearly a decade. He’s worked with many of the organization's leaders on strategic positioning, communications, and partnerships.

The ISSCR’s support for stem cell science and the field is central to our mission, and we speak up for policies around the world that allow our work to continue and thrive. We also provide background and current understanding about stem cell science to inform decision makers about key issues affecting science and health.

In written and oral testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee today, former ISSCR president Sally Temple describes fetal tissue research as essential in studying and developing therapies for cancer, HIV, Zika, tuberculous, and other devastating diseases.

Stem cell science and regenerative medicine has made great progress in 2018, with significant clinical trials underway in several research areas, and advances in understanding that are illuminating new research pathways. The role of the ISSCR in supporting the research and its responsible translation to the clinic has never been more important. I want to highlight for you some of ISSCR’s work throughout the year that I believe helps advance science, give voice to our members, and sustain this ever-evolving field.

Reports indicate that scientists in China have used CRISPR-mediated genome editing during in vitro fertilization to modify the genetic material of two embryos that were subsequently implanted into a patient, leading to the birth of two babies. As ISSCR and a number of other organizations have previously stated, the use of nuclear genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR, during fertility treatment is premature and should not be attempted at this time.

In a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the ISSCR commented on proposed industry guidance for "Civil Money Penalties Relating to the ClinicalTrials.gov Data Bank."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to StemGenex of San Diego after an investigation found its cellular therapy does not conform with good manufacturing practice requirements, is being illegally marketed to treat conditions for which it has not been proven safe or effective, and is putting patients at risk.

In this month's issue of the ISSCR journal, 2018 award recipients Graziella Pellegrini and Michele De Luca (Innovation Award), and Connie Eaves (Tobias Lecture), share perspectives on their science, and scientists write about the ethical challenges of premature delivery of stem cell-based therapies.

Stem cell research is moving ever more deliberately toward the clinic with increasing momentum and is recognized as one of the most promising approaches for developing new kinds of medicines. The rapid advances in this field are having profound effects on how researchers conceive and pursue their work in traditional academic or research institutions and in commercial enterprises.

The ISSCR writes in support of the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) complaint requesting relief from discriminatory airline carriage policies that impede the transportation of animals for biomedical research.

I take seriously my responsibility to support and nurture future generations of stem cell scientists. Indeed, it is critical for all of us in this evolving field to help trainees and others coming up in the field, to ensure they have opportunities to learn, grow, make connections, and share their science.

The ISSCR has responded to the European Commission proposal and the European Parliament's amendments for Horizon Europe, the seven-year research and innovation funding program to follow Horizon 2020.

In mid-September, the U.S. Senate debated and passed a spending bill that included an increase in funding for the Department of Health and Human Services but did not include a ban on federal funding for fetal tissue research. ISSCR treasurer Arnold Kriegstein visited Senate and House leaders and staff on Capitol Hill shortly after the vote to voice appreciation for the Senate effort.

The ISSCR is troubled by the HHS decision to “conduct a comprehensive review of all fetal tissue research.” The directive appears to come after intensive lobbying efforts by special interest groups with the goals of delaying or curtailing scientific research that relies on fetal tissue.

The ISSCR has always had strong female leaders, and many of them are featured in the September and October editions of Stem Cell Reports.

Many of us find time in the summer to reflect on work and recharge our batteries. Vacations, visits with friends, and time with family all help get away from everyday concerns in the lab and gain some perspective to inform the scientific path for the year ahead.

The ISSCR is soliciting nominations to honor exceptional and innovative research and support for young scientists, through its extensive awards program. It also invites members to nominate candidates to serve on the ISSCR board of directors.

The ISSCR 2018 Annual Meeting went “down under” to Melbourne, Australia where 3,000 stem cell scientists, clinicians, and professionals from 52 countries gathered to share their latest research, network with colleagues, and explore the latest technologies driving the field forward.

The ISSCR is pleased to announce Douglas A. Melton, PhD, Harvard University, as the incoming president of the ISSCR and its board of directors. Melton assumed the post on 23 June, 2018, immediately following the 16th ISSCR Annual Meeting in Melbourne, Australia.

The ISSCR has appointed Martin F. Pera, professor at the Jackson Laboratory, U.S., as the next editor-in-chief of Stem Cell Reports, the organization’s open-access journal. Pera will succeed Christine Mummery, who led the journal since its launch in 2013. Pera will assume the post in January, 2019.

The ISSCR opposes the U.S. House of Representatives proposal to ban federal funding for fetal tissue research. ISSCR President Hans Clevers released a statement on the issue.

The ISSCR will hold its 2021 annual meeting in Hamburg, Germany, the first time the organization will be meeting in that city. The meeting is expected to draw 4,000 stem cell researchers and professionals from around the globe to the Congress Center Hamburg, scheduled to open in 2019. The meeting will be held 23-26 June, 2021.

The ISSCR is disappointed with the enactment of the ‘Right to Try’ law. Along with more than 100 patient and research groups opposing the bill, we believe it will put patients at risk and undermine the effective FDA Expanded Access Program already in place to give seriously ill patients access to experimental treatments.

The ISSCR is pleased that federal prosecutors in the U.S. have taken action to halt the marketing and delivery of unproven stem cell treatments at clinics they allege are operating outside of FDA regulation.

Scientific progress requires that legislators and regulators around the world recognize and appreciate the value of research and actively support pro-science policies. The ISSCR, through its policy program, champions the advancement of stem cell research and its translation to medicine.

Progress in stem cell research and its translation to medicine is the focus of the International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting 20-23 June at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

The ISSCR appreciates the new framework proposed by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the regulation of human cell and tissue products that use a person’s own cells (‘autologous use’).

ISSCR members and staff met 12 April with the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy to advocate for investments in basic research in the European Union’s 9th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.